Gate City, Science Hill battle to tie in Eastman Invitational

Tanner Cook
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Mar 29, 2019 at 12:53 AM

KINGSPORT — The Science Hill softball team — coming off back-to-back wins over Big Seven Conference rivals — opened up the Eastman tournament with a 4-4 tie against Gate City on Thursday afternoon at Brickyard Park.

The Lady Blue Devils jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead on Science Hill after the first inning, and it was going to be an uphill climb for the Lady Hilltoppers from there.

However, Kasey Bennett came through in the top of the fifth inning with a two-run homer to right field to give Science Hill a 4-3 lead.

Time was also against the Lady Devils as the 75-minute time limit had reached under 15 minutes to play.

After Gate City pitcher Kate Pendleton sat down the Lady ‘Toppers in order, Gate City had one more chance, even after the time limit had expired.

The Lady Devils got what they needed to tie the game with an RBI double by Taylor Blevins in the bottom of the sixth. The ball was actually misplayed by Science Hill right fielder Gia Hickman as it went over her head.

Dobyns-Bennett 10, Happy Valley 2

The Lady Indians followed up a 17-0 win over Rye Cove in the first game of the evening with another stellar performance against the Lady Warriors.

Makaila Collier went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Emma Allgood and Brandy Hannoway also notched an RBI each.

The Lady Warriors struggled all evening against Lady Indians pitcher Kassidy Miller, scratching out only three hits and two earned runs.

Olivia Absher and Laura Rice accounted for the hits for Happy Valley.

Rye Cove 11, Happy Valley 1

The Lady Eagles got their Eastman tournament start off on the right foot with a win over the Lady Warriors. Ashley Smith came up big for Rye Cove, going 2-for-3 with two doubles, three RBIs and scoring twice.

Abby Vicars and Maddison Miller each had a pair of hits. Lexie Rhoten was solid in the circle, going four innings and allowing just one run on nine hits. She struck out five batters.

Absher, Rice and Maddie Lingerfelt each managed two hits for Happy Valley, but could not capitalize.

Daniel Boone 5, Union County 0

Megan Ackerman pitched brilliantly for the Lady Trailblazers as she twirled six innings and gave up just two hits. She struck out six batters in the game.

McKenna Dietz went 2-for-3 with a double while Camryn Sarvis went 1-for-3 with a pair of RBI.

The Lady Blazers banged out eight hits on the day.

Unicoi County 4, Cherokee 2

Spreading the wealth was the name of the game for the Lady Blue Devils in the win over Cherokee. Samanta and Betsabe Chavez each had an RBI. Carly Kinsler went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and an RBI.

Allee Griffith went five innings for Unicoi County, giving up six hits and fanning eight batters.

Madison Carpenter and Jacey Moncier each had two hits for the Lady Chiefs in the loss.